About Us
Oxfordshire County Council is an ambitious and forward‑thinking employer. It is proud to offer a strong flexible working culture including the flexibility on working hours and the use of technology to support agile working.
Good regulation of traders and businesses, appropriately monitored and enforced, helps to make Oxfordshire a safer, greener, fairer and healthier county – directly supporting several of the Council’s priorities.
Trading Standards carries out market surveillance, inspection, investigation, business advice and intelligence‑led enforcement of regulations in relation to a wide range of legislation including: foods; animal feeds, the safety and descriptions of consumer products and services; weights and measures; environmental controls on products; estate and lettings agents fees and behaviours; age restrictions on harmful products; illicit tobacco and vapes sales; petroleum and explosives licensing; farming standards and farmed animal welfare,
Oxfordshire consumers are protected and a level playing field is ensured for traders and businesses, when effective regulation is enforced by a professional, knowledgeable and skilled team.
About the Role
We are looking for a widely qualified and experienced Principal Trading Standards Officer/Practitioner to work in a tight knit team of officers which deals with the majority of requests for our services. These requests can include consumer complaints about traders from whom they have bought potentially non‑compliant goods and services, referrals from other agencies, requests for advice on legal requirements from businesses and dealing with doorstep crime incidents. The work is likely to involve dealing with weights and measures, food and animal feeds matters for which specialist qualifications and competency are a requirement.
However, if necessary, consideration will be given to candidates who do not have these qualifications and competences but are willing to train and develop and have a proven track record of academic achievement.
The role will involve dealing with a wide range of traders and businesses, members of the public, other professionals and agencies. A high level of professional presentation and communication is a necessity. You will need to be able to interpret complex legislation and communicate it so that it is clearly understandable to traders and the public. Confidence, good decision‑making, empathy, great communications skills and the ability to manage a large number of complex, time‑sensitive matters are essential skills for the role. You will need to be an excellent team player as the “Response” team works very closely together, at all times.
You’ll address complaints, carry out inspections and audits at businesses, identify non‑compliances and work to bring businesses into compliance, using the full range of tools available, including market surveillance, test purchasing, projects, informal and formal business advice, intercession between vulnerable victims of doorstep crime and “rogue” traders, civil sanctions and criminal investigations. As a Principal Trading Standards Officer, you will take on leadership roles in areas of legislation, projects and staff mentoring/development.
Sometimes the work will take place outside of “normal” office hours, in evenings and at weekends. You may need to work outside, in poor weather and will need to deal with difficult and confrontational situations. You’ll need to be able to travel, efficiently, around the whole of Oxfordshire and, occasionally, further afield.
You’ll be required to maintain existing competencies and train in new areas of law to meet Service needs. There may be opportunities to move between different Service teams but you’ll be flexible to the needs of the whole Service and will work with other colleagues and on other work streams while a member of the “Response” team.
About you
Are you an experienced Trading Standards professional, qualified to enforce at least 2 of the following areas of work as well as “fair trading” and product safety:
* food standards,
* animal feeds,
* weights and measures?
If so, our preferred candidate may be appointable as a “Principal Trading Standards Officer” with an annual salary of £46,142 to £49,282.
Alternatively, do you have at least 3 years of experience in Trading Standards or other regulatory work, with a proven track record of improving regulatory compliance, the personal skills necessary for the role and are keen to train for professional qualifications? If so, we may consider you for appointment to the position of “Trading Standards Officer” with an annual salary of £34,434 to £45,091 (with pay progression barriers for different grades within this role).
Or do you have a strong interest in consumer protection and a willingness to learn, train and gain professional qualifications and competency over a number of years, either through the Trading Standards Practitioner Framework or via an apprenticeship? If so, we may consider you for appointment as a Trainee Trading Standards Officer with an annual salary of £29,064 to £31,022.
The full range of essential and desirable criteria for each role can be found in the job descriptions attached to this advert. When applying, please make it clear which of the roles you believe yourself to be suitable for.
Rewards and Benefits
The council offer some of the best learning and development opportunities to support you and your ongoing development. We offer a generous holiday allowance which rises as you remain in employment as well as giving you the option to buy additional holiday. You will also have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme; a range of local and national retail discounts; and a host of enhanced family friendly policies.
Our commitment to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to: Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to: Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi‑time, part‑time working, job sharing, nine‑day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
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